KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — The government maintains that journalists are free to ask any questions in the course of their duties, said government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, following a recent controversy involving Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and a journalist from Utusan Malaysia.
According to the national daily, Fahmi said the matter was raised at today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, during which he reiterated the government’s clear position that the media must be allowed to perform their duties without restriction.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself has always been open to all questions, and the government maintains that journalists have every right to ask,” he reportedly said during his weekly post-Cabinet press conference in Putrajaya today.
He added that any response from ministers must be conveyed courteously and with respect, guided by openness and mutual understanding between the government and the media.
Fahmi said he had met Nga before the meeting to seek clarification on the alleged incident, which took place during a programme in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday.
“Nga shared his views with me before the meeting, and I also conveyed mine, which I reiterated during the Cabinet session.
“I was informed that the minister is prepared to meet Utusan Malaysia to clear the air and provide a personal explanation. I see this as a positive step, and he has committed to meeting the management to set the record straight,” Fahmi said.
Asked whether Nga would apologise or meet the journalist and media outlet involved, Fahmi said that decision would be up to the minister.
“As for an apology, I leave that to him,” he said.
Fahmi said he would also leave it to Nga and his media team to issue further responses on the matter.
